The US special envoy for Afghanistan reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad once again called on the Afghan warring sides to accelerate efforts for peace and engage into direct negotiations.

In a series of tweets on Saturday, Khalilzad condemned the attack on a member of the government peace negotiation team, Fawzia Koofi, who is also a former parliamentarian. “A cowardly and criminal act by those who seek to delay and disrupt the Afghan peace process,” he added. “I call on all sides who seek peace to not only condemn the attack but to accelerate the peace process and start intra-Afghan negotiations.”

The US envoy cited the remarks after hopes on the beginning of the intra-Afghan negotiations were increased as the government started the release of the 400 controversial Taliban prisoners, who were charged with major crimes such as murder, robbery and sexual assault alleged crimes.

http://www.afghanistantimes.af/us-calls-on-afghan-sides-to-accelerate-peace-efforts/